A new social-media organization, the E20 Janata Party (EJP), has gained rapid attention in India amid controversy over ethanol-blended E20 petrol. Using a crab as its symbol, the group is campaigning for greater transparency in ethanol policy, consumer choice and availability of 100 percent pure petrol. In posts on X on July 26, it also called for the resignation of Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.

EJP says it does not oppose ethanol blending entirely and is not seeking subsidies. It wants mandatory disclosure of ethanol and other components in each fuel, government publication of costs, benefits and possible impacts, and independent research into effects on mileage, engine performance, pollution and maintenance costs. After its public launch early Sunday, it surpassed 200,000 Instagram followers within hours and reached about 35,000 followers on X. Its leadership and founders remain unidentified.

The petroleum ministry acknowledged two weeks earlier that E20 could reduce mileage by 3 to 5 percent and said ethanol blending would not lower fuel prices. The government cites foreign-exchange savings, higher farmer incomes and lower carbon-dioxide emissions. A citizens’ group has called a Delhi march for July 31, while taxi and tourism transport groups announced a Parliament march on August 4.